A North Dakota jury has ruled against Greenpeace, ordering the environmental group to pay over $660 million in damages to Texas-based Energy Transfer. The case stems from Greenpeace’s involvement in protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline nearly a decade ago.

Energy Transfer accused Greenpeace of defamation, trespassing, and conspiracy, claiming the group led a “violent scheme” to harm the company financially. Greenpeace, however, denied these allegations, arguing that indigenous leaders spearheaded the demonstrations.

The protests, which began in 2016 near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, attracted thousands of activists, including Native American tribes, military veterans, and public figures. The movement opposed the pipeline’s potential environmental impact.

The verdict follows a three-week trial where Energy Transfer’s chairman accused Greenpeace of spreading false narratives. Greenpeace plans to appeal the decision, stating the lawsuit threatens free speech and activism.

Legal experts believe the ruling could discourage environmental advocacy. Greenpeace has also filed a counter-lawsuit in Dutch court, accusing Energy Transfer of misusing the legal system to silence opposition.

Despite legal setbacks, Greenpeace vowed to continue its fight against the pipeline, which has been operational since 2017 but still lacks key environmental permits.